Meet Mrs. Macdonald
We are named after Maybelle Clark Macdonald whose family has graced the Portland community for more than a century. Her Wilson Clark relatives first settled in Linnton in 1902. These successful families developed significant real estate interests in downtown Portland and a timber empire known as the Willamette Valley Lumber Company, later to become Willamette Industries. The Clark and Wilson families are distinguished for their entrepreneurial spirit, successful businesses and philanthropic generosity. Left: Maybelle Clark Macdonald and her son, Clark Munro, at the Center in August, 1999
Maybelle Clark Macdonald is a compassionate member of that family with a heart for the poor and homeless. Beginning in 1978 she and her husband Fred were the principal sponsors of a drop-in day center for the seniors of the skid row area in Portland. Older homeless people are often victims on the streets. The Macdonalds' vision, compassion and funds made possible this safe place where homeless seniors could find refuge, advocacy and recreation. In 1990 the Senior Center began its "retirement" so as to open the way for the new Macdonald Center we know today.
The new Macdonald Center was founded for four purposes:
1. To assist the poor, dual-diagnosed mentally ill persons in downtown Portland;
2. To empower volunteers and interns to serve these chronically-ill poor;
3. To provide research on the impact of personal care in the urban setting;
4. To build a sense of community among the neighborhood hotel residents, agencies and health care facilities.
The new Center, located in the basement of the Downtown Catholic Chapel, continued to be a place of hospitality and welcome where people of any age could find a safe atmosphere and help in the mornings. Our principal mission, however, was to reach out to people living downtown in more than 20 low-income residential hotels. Left: Fr Berg greets Mrs. Macdonald and Mr. Munro at Center dedication, 1999
Maybelle Macdonald faithfully encouraged our staff, our vision of care, and honored the Center with her continued faithful support. As it became apparent to us that there was a pressing need to provide a higher level of care for our neighbors, she pledged one million dollars toward the new Maybelle Clark Macdonald Center and Residence. Her faith in our vision proved to "move mountains of resistance" and what was termed "impossible" was achieved.
We owe a great debt of gratitude to this kind, astute and faithful friend after whom our Center is named.
